Note To Dkos Readers: If you are just joining me for this series of diaries on, please read the introduction in the first diary and I recommend reading the previous diaries, as well. It will help explain the essence of both the adventure and the social politics behind same. (http://www.dailykos.com/... and
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The Craft. . .Heavy Like Bantam Barges: The first real snag of the first expedition were the boats the railroad had toted from Chicago to the point of embarkation. They were simply the wrong boats for the mission. The reputation of each river, especially the Colorado, was foretelling. The major, along with his brother and Emma, had already scouted some of the rapids the year before, there on the Green. By sight and sound he knew how forceful the whitewater was. However, his experience running it was nil. He came up with his design based on what his senses told him, albeit the most important aspect, the actual experience of running the rapids, was not his to claim or know.
Nevertheless, he had to guess and gauge the best design he could to handle the rigors of such roiled water. With respect to the elevation drop of both rivers, he and the others really weren’t sure where the falls would arise, nor how tightly grouped together they might be. Neither could they be sure the elevation drop would be gradual, or in places, be extreme. To run either river therefore posed a certain risk. Some of the rapids, or what was commonly referred to at that time as falls or cataracts, might even turn out to be what boatmen today would deem unrunnable. Moreover, there was unconfirmed hearsay about one particular stretch of water that was the mother of all rapids. Major Powell had once listened to an Indian who told him how dangerous the water was and should not be attempted. The major thought the old Indian was prone to exaggeration. Powell also read an earlier report of a man who claimed to have gone through the Grand Canyon on a log (i.e., the miner, James White, in September of 1887). But the major, like so many others of his era, seriously doubted the claim.
On the other hand, what if there was something on the order of a Niagara Falls in one of the canyons? What if the Indian didn’t exaggerate? Could the major, from his scout boat, even see the danger in time, then quickly pull off the river and warn the others in his small fleet? The problem was, the boat design the major came up with did not allow for quick maneuvers for any margin of safety. This fact bears mentioning in detail.